This seasonal cocktail deserves a moment, so that’s what we’re doing.
After 6+ years of coming up with cocktail recipes for Iconic, the Cactus Wren is one that always stands out to us. We developed this cocktail in 2018 for a social event that happened in Downtown Phoenix. Per the usual, we created a unique cocktail menu that highlighted the event. Since then, we have brought it to a handful of events with different spirits, glassware, and mediums.
Inspired by the classic Paloma, Iconic’s Grapefruit Fleur de Sel cocktail mixer is a subtly sweet blend of fresh grapefruits and sea salt. This flavor concentrate can be added to sparkling water to replicate popular grapefruit sodas like Squirt. (Did you know that Squirt was invented in Phoenix in 1941? We did not!) Made with all grapefruit juice and no artificial additives, Iconic Grapefruit Fleur de Sel is packed with fresh flavor for classic recipes, like any salty and citrusy recipe- the Paloma, Margarita, Greyhound…or our very own Cactus Wren.
Learn how to customize your cocktail to your liking.
Pick your favorite spirit
If you’re going for a more traditional Paloma experience, use a quality tequila. If a Salty Dog is your vibe, hit your cocktail with vodka. The Cactus Wren shine with any light spirit. We recommend any quality gin, vodka, tequila, or mezcal.
Choose your vessel
This cocktail truly stands up in any glass. We prefer it over ice in a Collins glass but try it as a beautiful martini or over a super cube in a rocks glass.
Elevate your garnish
Instead of rimming your glass with salt for the classic Paloma or Salty Dog vibe, we love making a ‘sea spray’ which is simply salt water in something that you can spray onto your glass. (find an “atomizer” online if you are looking to add a new tool to your home bar but any recycled and washed spray top works great.
Want to learn more about making finish sprays? Check out in this blog post and pick up your own atomizers that you can use in up-cycled 4oz bottles from Iconic.
A Cocktail That Knows No Bounds: Cactus Wren Recipe
Cactus Wren
2oz vodka, gin, tequila, or mezcal
1oz Iconic Grapefruit Fleur de Sel
1/2oz Lime Juice
Spritz of saltwater sea spray*
Drizzle of Iconic Prickly Pear Sour
-Combine everything but the Prickly Pear Sour and salt water spray in a glass with ice and enough sparkling water to fill almost to the top of the glass.
-Drizzle Prickly Pear Sour
-Spritz with saltwater finishing spray